The term ‘trigger finger’ emanates from how your finger bends and straightens with a snap, similar to how a trigger is pulled and released. This condition, also known stenosing tenosynovitis, happens when one of your fingers is locked in a bent position, limiting your movement and resulting in pain, as well as, tenderness.
A trigger finger occurs when the protective sheath, which your tendons glide through, becomes narrow, leading to a construction around the tendon and becomes irritated and swollen. This, in turn, makes it difficult for your finger to straighten and can even hinder your sheer ability to go about your daily tasks.
In this regard, it is always important that you seek trigger finger treatment as early as possible to prevent your condition from worsening. Here are a few simple hacks to help prevent trigger finger:
Give Your Hands Ample Rest
Try as much as possible to avoid activities where repetitive gripping is needed or let your hands rest until your symptoms improve. Do not use handheld vibrating devices for long periods of time. If you can’t avoid these activities entirely, it would be ideal to wear padded gloves to offer some form of protection.
Partake in Stretching Exercises
Partaking in simple stretching exercises has the potential to help alleviate pain and stiffness. It is highly recommended that you do them three to five times a day to prevent your symptoms from worsening. There are many things you can do while exercising your fingers.
For instance, you can hold your finder below the top joint and bend the tip while keeping the rest of your fingers still. Alternatively, position your palm to let it face your body and clench your hand loosely before slowly uncurling your fingers and thumb till they’re fully extended, repeat the steps a few times.
Remember, minimizing the strain on your wrists and fingers is the secret to preventing a trigger finger if you spend a lot of time on your smartphone. Be sure to straighten your wrists as much as possible while holding your smartphone, and keep your elbow straight to allow blood flow to your fingers. Avoid unnatural positions that will put your fingers in an awkward position while using your smartphone.
All these aside, it is essential to visit a hand specialist if your symptoms persist and you find that it is becoming harder for you to perform daily activities.
